GE provided hardware and spare parts, and managed the design engineering processes and the shop tests on a real-time simulator. The company also upgraded the propulsion documentation and drawings, and supervised the installation and sea trials.

To ensure safety, the new controllers were installed and commissioned individually while the vessels were operating at sea, and the analogue controls were decommissioned only after the digital controls were successfully tested. GE also updated the related machinery and monitoring controllers to make them more user friendly and reliable.

“The vessels’ analogue controllers were still operating correctly 20 years after their delivery, however the availability of their critical electronic components was no longer guaranteed and the skilled engineering expertise required to troubleshoot issues was slowly disappearing,” said Jean-Philippe Chaignot, marine solutions leader at GE’s Power Conversion business. “Such issues had the potential to extend a vessel stop, which could have caused the possible shutdown of its control system resulting in severe financial loss for the customer.”

GE has been Carnival Corporation & plc’s partner for 20 years and during this time, it has equipped more than 30 Carnival Group vessels with its electric power and propulsion systems.

“Our success lies in the success of our customers, and we’re proud of providing long-lasting and high-quality solutions backed with reliable services that help our customers maintain their competitive edge,” said Tim Schweikert, president and CEO of GE’s Marine Solutions.

Stay connected

@Cruise_Ferry

CruiseandFerry.net is the online home of International Cruise & Ferry Review, a twice-yearly magazine that is also available for subscription in both printed and digital formats.

Via our website, magazine and social networks, we aim to be the world's best supplier of news and insight into the global passenger shipping industries. Our content covers both the cruise and ferry businesses, and provides our audience with insight into building and refurbishment, marine operations, onboard experience, ports and destinations and more.